The Death and Life of John F. Donovan

 

Directed and co-edited by Xavier Dolan and screenplay by Dolan and Jacob Tierney from a story by Dolan, The Death and Life of John F. Donovan is the story of a young man who reminisces his time as a child when he wrote corresponding letters to an American TV star who died mysteriously following a scandal that also affected the young boy. The film is an exploration of celebrity as well as a young man coping with his possible role in the death of his idol as well as how many claimed their relationship wasn’t innocent. Starring Kit Harrington, Jacob Tremblay, Natalie Portman, Susan Sarandon, Kathy Bates, Thandiwe Newton, Ben Schnetzer, Sarah Gadon, Emily Hampshire, Jared Keeso, Amara Karan, and Michael Gambon. The Death and Life of John F. Donovan is a messy and overly-dramatic film from Xavier Dolan.

The film follows a young novelist/actor who is interviewed by a journalist over a book he wrote about his corresponding letters with an American TV star more than a decade ago who died mysteriously following a scandal relating to both of them. It’s a film that is an exploration of fame and celebrity as well as how his stardom won the affections of a young boy who would write corresponding letters with him that eventually would cause trouble. It’s an idea that is interesting yet Xavier Dolan and co-writer Jacob Tierney create a script that is overwhelmed with ideas but with not much to say as the result is something extremely messy and overblown. Notably as its narrative moved back and forth into the story of its titular character (Kit Harrington) and his young fan in Rupert Turner (Jacob Tremblay) while the older Rupert (Ben Schnetzer) talks about everything to the journalist Audrey Newhouse (Thandiwe Newton).

The script opens with the news of John F. Donovan’s death and Rupert’s reaction as he is watching it on TV at a coffee house with his mother Sam (Natalie Portman) as it would be the start of a non-linear reflective narrative where the older Rupert talks to Newhouse about the book he wrote. Yet, Dolan and Tierney chooses to create a parallel narrative about Donovan’s rise and his need to keep his homosexuality a secret while the young Rupert is striving to become a young actor inspired by Donovan despite the homophobic abuse he receives from classmates. It’s a narrative that showcases both Donovan and Rupert’s own issues with their mothers but also their own struggles with who they are yet it is a narrative that tends to overwhelm itself with the older Rupert coming across as someone who has become an asshole. Especially as it features various characters in their lives with the exception of a few who are either underwritten or played as clichés.

Dolan’s direction definitely has ambition and a look that plays into this world of celebrity though it is largely set in three different cities such as New York City, London, and Prague as much of the film is shot on location in Montreal. While many of Dolan’s compositions are straightforward, there are elements of style in some of the scenes he shoots as it play into some of the film’s melodrama. There are some wide and medium shots in not just scopes of the locations but also in some intimate moments with the latter as it play into conversations including scenes that play into the lives of Donovan and the young Rupert as they struggle with their own issues as well as their own parallel relationships with their mother. Yet, there are these moments in the film where Dolan’s approach to melodrama does create scenes that are either cheesy or just overwrought such as a scene where Donovan visits his mother Grace (Susan Sarandon) for Thanksgiving as Donovan is accompanied by his wife Amy (Emily Hampshire) and his brother James (Jared Keeso) as it becomes this overblown moment of Grace feeling unappreciated while she’s drunk as Donovan gets angry over his uncle being an asshole.

It’s not just that sequence that feels overwritten as well as a scene where Rupert’s corresponding letters were discovered after a homophobic classmate stole them where Rupert had to break into the boy’s house to get it back. It’s also scenes where the older Rupert talks to Newhouse about ethics where he comes off as entitled as it’s another scene that doesn’t work. Dolan also puts in an odd scene where an old man (Michael Gambon) gives Donovan some advice late in the film where it is a strange moment that never feels earned as it would be followed by a scene of Donovan at his mother’s house where he and his brother are singing Lifehouse’s Hanging By a Moment that feels tacked on and never adds anything to the story. For a film that is meant to be this exploration of scandal, misunderstanding, and celebrity, Dolan not only doesn’t say anything new but he also dwells into clichés that doesn’t feel earned nor does it help the story in general. Overall, Dolan crafts an overwritten and baffling film about a young man reflecting on his time as a kid corresponding letters to a troubled TV star.

Cinematographer Andre Turpin does excellent work with the film’s cinematography as its emphasis on low-key lighting and lack of vibrant colors do add to the film’s dramatic tone despite its messy narrative. Editors Xavier Dolan and Mathieu Denis do fine work with the editing where it does have elements of style though some of it do go overboard to play into some major dramatic moments. Production designers Anne Pritchard and Colombe Raby do fantastic work with the look of the home that Donovan’s mother live in as well as the school and home that the young Rupert goes to in London. Costume designers Michele Clapton and Pierre-Yves Gayraud do nice work with the costumes as it has some style in the clothes that Donovan wears while much of it is just casual.

Hair/makeup designer Jan Archibald does terrific work with the look of Sam with her hairstyle as well as the look of a few other characters to play into the world that Rupert and Donovan are in. Special effects supervisor Guillaume Murray and visual effects supervisor Jean-Francois Ferland do some OK with the film’s visual effects for scenes relating to the TV show Donovan is in as well as some set-dressing for some of the film’s locations. Sound designer Sylvain Brassard does superb work with the sound in the way music is played on a car radio to the atmosphere of a few party scenes as well as some sparse moments in the dramatic aspects of the film. The film’s music by Gabriel Yared is good for some of the lush orchestral score pieces that does play into the drama though it does have moments where it does feel overdone while the music soundtrack that features music from Cat Power, Adele, P!nk, Lifehouse, and the Verve do have their moments as it play into the period of the mid-2000s yet some feel used in the most clichéd ways.

The casting by Carmen Cuba is wonderful despite the fact that the cast wasn’t given strong material to work with as small roles from Jane Wheeler and Susan Almgren as two of Donovan’s aunts, Craig Eldridge as Donovan’s asshole uncle Patrick, Lukas Rolfe as the young Rupert’s homophobic classmate Cedric, Sarah Gadon as one of Donovan’s co-stars in Liz Jones, Jared Keeso as Donovan’s older brother James, and Chris Zylka in a somewhat-bland performance as an actor in Will Jefford Jr. who would have a thing with Donovan as he’s never given anything to do. Michael Gambon’s one-scene performance as a man who gives Donovan advice is amazing despite the fact that the scene made no sense while Emily Hampshire’s performance as Donovan’s wife Amy is severely underwritten as someone who never really says a lot in the film.

Kathy Bates and Amara Karan are excellent in their respective roles as Donovan’s manager Barbara Haggermaker and Rupert’s schoolteacher Miss Kureshi with the former being a no-nonsense manager who does what she can for Donovan but not put up with his bullshit while the latter is a kind-hearted teacher who believes that Rupert is gifted. Ben Schnetzer’s performance as the 21-year old Rupert is terrible as he switches between a British and American accent every now and then where he comes off as a real douche bag in how he talks about his past and observations while Thandiwe Newton manages to be solid as the journalist Audrey Newhouse as she just plays it straight and not putting up with some of the bullshit. Susan Sarandon has her moments as Donovan’s mother Grace in quieter moments though the scenes where she is melodramatic is her over-acting a bit.

Natalie Portman is superb as Rupert’s mother Sam as a woman who is baffled by her son’s relationship with Donovan through the letters where Portman does show some realism in the mother world despite some of the clichéd dramatic tropes she had to endure. Kit Harrington’s performance in the titular role is a mess as it does have moments of someone that is struggling with his identity but Harrington is unfortunately hindered by clichés that never allows his character to be fully engaging. Finally, there’s Jacob Tremblay in an incredible performance as the young Rupert Turner where Tremblay displays this air of energy and enthusiasm to the role but also someone who is just trying to understand the ways of the world as he is the only real highlight of the film.

The Death and Life of John F. Donovan is a horrendous film from Xavier Dolan. Despite the performances of Jacob Tremblay, Natalie Portman, Kathy Bates, and Amara Karan, the film is unfortunately bogged down by too many ideas in its study of celebrity and identity by favoring melodrama and tacked on moments that never says anything. It is a film that had a unique idea but fails in its execution where it dwells too much into convention while never going into places that could’ve done more with its subject matter. In the end, The Death and Life of John F. Donovan is an absolute failure from Xavier Dolan.

Xavier Dolan Films: I Killed My Mother - Heartbeats (2010 film) - Laurence Anyways - Tom at the Farm - Mommy (2014 film) - (It’s Only the End of the World) – Matthias & Maxime - (The Night Logan Woke Up) – The Auteurs #46: Xavier Dolan

© thevoid99 2021

Pretty Baby (1978 film)

Directed by Louis Malle and screenplay by Polly Platt from a story by Malle and Platt, Pretty Baby is the story of a 12-year old girl who works in New Orleans’ Red Light District in the early 20th Century as a prostitute. The film is an exploration into a young woman coming to terms with her sexuality as she watches her mother work as a prostitute where she is forced to be part of a world she is not ready for. Starring Brooke Shields, Susan Sarandon, and Keith Carradine. Pretty Baby is a compelling yet provocative film from Louis Malle.

Set in the Storyville area of New Orleans in 1917, the film revolves the young life of a 12-year old girl whose mother is a prostitute as she catches the eye of a photographer as she would become his muse and lover. It’s a film that plays into this young girl who comes of age during this time where she only knows the life of being in a whorehouse and tending to things at the place. Even as she would eventually become a prostitute herself where the result would have her grow up too fast. It’s a film that is set into a period in time where morals tend to fall by the wayside as it is about money and being fulfilled sexually while the women who prostitute themselves are using their sexuality to get what they want and hopefully have a better future.

Polly Platt’s screenplay uses this setting as a backdrop for this young girl coming of age where she wouldn’t just live with prostitutes, bartenders, cooks, musicians, and a brothel madam but also children who live and work in the house. It’s a world that is something where it has its own rules yet everyone helps each other out. For the character Violet (Brooke Shields), she is part of that world as she would help take care of the younger children, including her newborn baby brother Will, and give the brothel madam Nell (Frances Fay) what she needs if it’s cocaine or opium. It’s a world that gives Violet a sense of fulfillment but her mother Hattie (Susan Sarandon) is tired of the life as she is quite immature at times as well as selfish. When the photographer E.J. Bellocq (Keith Carradine) comes in to do photographs, he is intrigued by Violet as he sees her as a young girl becoming a woman while being conflicted of being there for her and give her the life that she needs.

The script also has a very offbeat structure where much of the film is set in this brothel with very little places outside of it as it plays to the world that Violet lives in and how comfortable she is in this world of booze and sex. Even if she is too young for it as its second act has her lose her virginity to a man she doesn’t know and deal with her mother’s desire to leave the brothel. The third act would have Violet leave the brothel to stay at Bellocq’s where it’s a very different world with rules as well as Bellocq’s devotion to his work as a photographer. It’s also a moment where Violet not only faces the real world but also a world that is starting to change once World War I is ending.

Louis Malle’s direction is very exotic for the way he presents 1917 New Orleans by shooting on location in the city with its old buildings along with a few shots in Mississippi. Much of the compositions do play into some of the photos that the real E.J. Bellocq did during that time in the way Malle would place the characters into a frame or how he would set up a shot. A lot of it features some intricate medium shots for some of these scenes including the photos that Bellocq would create. There is a beauty to the brothel that Violet lives in as it’s very lively and has this air of sophistication mixed in with a bit of decadence. Yet, there’s an air of innocence that Malle captures in the film as he sees Violet have the energy of a child but also a woman who is quite mature but also immature.

Then there’s the sexuality of the film where there are scenes of Violet being nude as it is discomforting to watch. Especially since she is a 12-year old girl as it definitely borders the line of what is obscene yet it does play into not just Bellocq’s obsession towards her but also Violet’s own awareness of her sexuality. Even as there’s a shot of Violet lying on a couch for a photograph totally nude, with the exception of her genitalia, as it is very provocative in how it can bring a sense of discomfort but there’s a beauty to it. Even as Malle is aware of what he needed to say visually as it plays into Violet’s encounter with the real world where it is about order and morality just as the home she had known for all of her life becomes the target of everything that is wrong. Overall, Malle creates a very fascinating yet unsettling film about a young girl coming of age in early 20th Century New Orleans.

Cinematographer Sven Nykvist does incredible work with the film‘s cinematography as it is a major highlight of the film in terms of the attention to detail in its photography for many of its interior scenes and usage of naturalistic and artificial light along with . Editor Suzanne Fenn does excellent work with the editing as it is very straightforward as well as using rhythmic cuts to capture Violet‘s own sense of energy. Production designer Trevor Williams and set decorator James L. Berkey do amazing work with the look of the brothel in its state of glamour as well as how small the kitchen is along with the studio that Bellocq works at.

Sound mixer Donald F. Johnson does nice work with the sound to play into the atmosphere of the locations as well the mixture of live music and natural sounds in the mix. The film’s music by Ferdinand Morton is superb for its New Orleans jazz-based score while the rest of the soundtrack features the music of those times.

The casting by Gary Chason and Juliet Taylor is fantastic as it features some notable small performances from Matthew Anton as a young boy named Red Top, Barbara Steele as the prostitute Josephine, Mae Mercer as the cook Mama Mosebery, and Diana Scarwid as the European prostitute Frieda. Antonio Fargas is terrific as the piano player Professor who is a friend of the prostitutes while being the one to keep an eye on her at times. Frances Faye is excellent as the brothel madam Nell as a woman who runs the operation and make sure things go well while doing drugs to cope with her aging. Susan Sarandon is brilliant as Violet’s mother Hattie as a prostitute who has the beauty and body of a successful prostitute but becomes tired of the life as she is eager to want something new despite her selfishness.

Keith Carradine is amazing as E.J. Bellocq as the famed photographer who is entranced by Violet’s personality and beauty as he falls for her while wanting to be her protector. Finally, there’s Brooke Shields in a phenomenal performance as Violet as this 12-year old girl who is enamored by her environment while having a troubled relationship with her mother as she would fall with this photography as it’s a very exciting yet dangerous performance from Shields who was only 12 when she did the film and expose herself in that way.

Pretty Baby is a remarkable film from Louis Malle that features a breakthrough performance from Brooke Shields. While it is definitely not a film for everyone as it does border the line between what is obscene. It is still a captivating film that plays into the world of a young girl coming of age in early 20th Century New Orleans in one of its seediest moments in history. In the end, Pretty Baby is a enchanting film from Louis Malle.

Louis Malle Films: (The Silent World) - Elevator to the Gallows - The Lovers (1958 film - Zazie Dans Le Metro - (A Very Private Affair) - (Vive Le Tour) - The Fire Within - (Bons baisers de Bangkok) - (Viva Maria!) - (The Thief of Paris) - Spirits of the Dead-William Wilson - (Phantom India) - (Calcutta) - Murmur of the Heart - (Humain, Trop Humain) - Place de la Republique - Lacombe, Lucien - Black Moon - (Close Up (1976 short) - (Dominique Sanda ou Le reve eveille) - Atlantic City (1980 film) - (My Dinner with Andre) - Crackers - God’s Country (1985 film) - (Alamo Bay) - (And the Pursuit of Happiness) - Au Revoir Les Enfants - (May Fools) - (Damage (1992 film)) - (Vanya on 42nd Street)

© thevoid99 2015

Atlantic City (1980 film)

Directed by Louis Malle and written by John Guare, Atlantic City is the story of a former gangster who protects a young courier after her husband had stolen some money as they’re both on the run from the mob. The film is an unlikely love story where an old man falls for a younger woman as they deal with chaos over stolen money in the middle of Atlantic City. Starring Burt Lancaster, Susan Sarandon, Kate Reid, Robert Joy, Hollis McLaren, Al Waxman, and Michel Piccoli. Atlantic City is a thrilling yet enchanting film from Louis Malle.

The film revolves a former gangster who befriends and falls for a young woman whose estranged husband had stolen some drugs from mobsters as he does whatever it takes to protect her. It plays into a man trying to cope with aging as he is struggling to get by as he is caring for an old woman as well as make money for the poor as his neighbor is a casino waitress training to be a courier. The two come together when Lou Pascal (Burt Lancaster) tries to help out this young drug dealer named Dave Matthews (Robert Joy) try to score a deal in which Lou will get a cut but things go wrong when the drugs that Dave stole belonged to a mob.

The film’s screenplay explores this old man trying to find meaning again as he falls for this young woman named Sally (Susan Sarandon) who wants a new life as she copes with her husband’s bad deals and how it would affect her chance for a brighter future. Even as Sally has to endure her ex-husband and her pregnant sister Chrissie (Hollis McLaren) as they would stay at her apartment while Lou spends his time taking care of a mob-boss widow named Grace (Kate Reid) where he doesn’t feel appreciated. All of which play into Sally and Lou coming together and make a new life for themselves.

Louis Malle’s direction is quite simple as there aren’t a lot of very stylistic shots yet it does play into a period in time where Atlantic City is moving away from its roots into something more modern and less glamorous. While it is a largely intimate film, there are some wide shots as it plays the decline of the old Atlantic City where its hotels and buildings are either destroyed or in ruins in favor of cheaper and more modern-day casinos. Malle does make the city a character as it is mostly shot on the actual city while he goes for close-ups and medium shots to play into some of the drama and suspense that looms throughout the film. Especially as there’s moments where Lou and Sally are in the same room but the latter isn’t aware of the former’s presence until the film’s second half. Malle’s direction does keep thing engaging as it includes some intense moments into the suspense as well as bits of humor as it play into Lou’s desire to reclaim his sense of youth and his attraction towards Sally. Overall, Malle creates a very engaging yet fun film about an ex-gangster protecting a young woman from the mob.

Cinematographer Richard Ciupka does excellent work with the film‘s very soft yet lush cinematography to capture the sense of griminess and bleak colors of the locations along with some unique lighting schemes to play into some of the romantic textures of the film. Editor Suzanne Baron does terrific work with the editing as it‘s very straightforward to play into the drama and suspense. Production designer Ann Pritchard and set decorator Gretchen Rau do amazing work with the look of the apartments of the key characters as well as some of the places they go to including the casinos.

Costume designer Francois Barbeau does nice work with the costumes from the suits that Lou would wear to the waitress/casual clothes that Sally wears to play into the ideas of the old and new world. The sound work of Jean-Claude Laureux is superb for its sound effects from the way music is heard on locations to the atmosphere in the casinos. The film’s music by Michel Legrand is wonderful though it is very sparse as it is mostly an ambient soundtrack while much of the soundtrack consists of different array of music from soul, rock, pop, classical, jazz, and opera music.

The film’s brilliant cast includes an appearance from the singer Robert Goulet as himself as well as notable small roles from Al Waxman as a dealer Lou knows, Wallace Shawn as a restaurant waiter, Hollis McLaren as Sally’s spiritual yet pregnant sister Chrissie, and Robert Joy as Sally’s estranged husband Dave who would try to create deals only to get himself into serious trouble. Michel Piccoli is superb in a small role as a courier teacher who tries to teach Sally the ropes in dealing while Kate Reid is fantastic as the aging mob widow Grace who orders Lou around while lamenting over the loss of the old Atlantic City. Susan Sarandon is amazing as Sally Matthews as this woman eager to make it as a courier while working part time as a waitress as she copes with her husband’s troubles and the protection of Lou. Finally, there’s Burt Lancaster in a phenomenal performance as Lou Pascal as this former gangster who was a top numbers man back in the old days as he copes with aging and the thirst to feel young again as Lancaster brings a sense of charm and energy into his performance.

Atlantic City is a remarkable film from Louis Malle that features top-notch performances from Burt Lancaster and Susan Sarandon. It’s a film that manages to transcend all genres while being very exciting with characters that are engaging and lively as it’s also one of Malle’s most accessible films. In the end, Atlantic City is a sensational film from Louis Malle.

Louis Malle Films: (The Silent World) - Elevator to the Gallows - The Lovers (1958 film) - Zazie dans le metro - (A Very Private Affair) - (Vive Le Tour) - The Fire Within - (Bons baisers de Bangkok) - (Viva Maria!) - (The Thief of Paris) - Spirits of the Dead-William Wilson - (Phantom India) - (Calcutta) - Murmur of the Heart - (Humain, Trop Humain) - Place de la Republique - Lacombe, Lucien - Black Moon - (Close Up (1976 short) - (Dominique Sanda ou Le reve eveille) - Pretty Baby - (My Dinner with Andre) - Crackers - God’s Country (1985 film) - (Alamo Bay) - (And the Pursuit of Happiness) - Au Revoir Les Enfants - (May Fools) - (Damage (1992 film)) - (Vanya on 42nd Street)

© thevoid99 2015

Enchanted

Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com on 3/23/08 w/ Additional Edits.

Directed by Kevin Lima and written by Bill Kelly with narration by Julie Andrews, Enchanted tells the story of a princess-to-be from a 2-D animated world who is suddenly thrown into a magical portal by a witch. Suddenly, the girl enters the real-life, live-action world of New York City as she meets a single father whom she befriends while her dim-witted prince decides to enter New York City to save her. The film is a genre-bender that is part family-film, part-fantasy, part-2D animation, part-comedy, and part-musical that is in the tradition of the Walt Disney films of the past that features the award-winning team of composer Stephen Schwartz and lyricist Alan Menken who wrote several classic tunes for Disney films like The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. Starring Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Timothy Spall, Idina Menzel, Rachel Covey, and Susan Sarandon. Enchanted is a delightful, charming, and magical film from the Walt Disney company.

In the world of Andalasia, a princess-to-be named Giselle (Amy Adams) is waiting for the day for her true love to come. Meanwhile, the young yet dim-witted Prince Edward (James Marsden) is battling a troll with the help of Nathaniel, the longtime minion to Edward's stepmother Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon). Edward saves Giselle from a troll and the two are destined to become wedded and Giselle, a princess. Narissa however, has plans on her own as she disguises herself as an old witch who pushes Giselle into a waterfall fountain where she finds herself in the harsh, cruel world of real-life New York City. Lost and confused, Giselle finds a castle billboard as she attracts the attention of a divorce lawyer named Robert (Patrick Dempsey) and his six-year old daughter Morgan (Rachel Covey).

Robert is confused by Giselle's whimsical, joyful behavior until she sleeps in his couch. The next morning, Giselle wakes up to clean Robert's home to his own shock with the help of pigeons, flies, and rats as he is bewildered by Giselle's behavior. Especially in front of his fiancee Nancy (Idina Menzel). Meanwhile, Edward learns that Giselle is in another world as with the help of Nathaniel (Timothy Spall) and a chipmunk named Pip, they enter New York City. Yet, Edward's chivalry is unaware that Nathaniel is sent to poison Giselle for Narissa. Robert however, is still confused by Giselle's unique personality as she sings all over the place while trying to tell her about the real world and such. With Edward still searching for Giselle, he becomes amazed by what the real world has to offer while Nathaniel begins to question his own role after his attempts to poison Giselle had failed repeatedly.

When Edward learns of Giselle's whereabouts, he continues his quest while Giselle suddenly starts to fall for Robert despite his no-nonsense, cynical view on the world, love, and such. Edward finally arrives as Giselle is with her prince but becomes confused of whether she wants to be Edward or Robert. Upset over the union of Giselle and Edward, Narissa decides to take matters into her own hands as she arrives to New York City in style. With Nathaniel forced to help her out, she decides to pull another old trick on Giselle as her own feelings for who her true love is becoming more confusing. Yet, when Narissa finally revealing herself, she decides to create her own ending only to realize, this isn't some ordinary fairytale.

While the fairytale films of Disney from years past can be considered fluff and passe in comparison to the harsh realities of the world. It should be noted that the real-world sometimes needed to be slapped with a dose of happiness. Here is a film where those great Disney films of the past are given a chance to look themselves in the mirror and make fun of themselves at the same time. Yet, what this film is really about is a princess-to-be who has always known a world that's been sheltered in all of her life. Yet, when she comes into this other world that is much harsher, colder, and very cynical. She tries to deal with it the best she could through song, cheerfulness, and curiosity. The result is that she brings a new kind of hope to a man filled with cynicism and no-nonsense to believe that it's okay to bring a bit of fantasy into the real world.

Credit must go to screenwriter Bill Kelly and director Kevin Lima for creating a charming, whimsical film that mixes a lot of genres. Kelly's screenplay is excellent for its structure, twists, character development, and most of all, references to other classic fairytales. Lima's direction is superb from the use of animation with its peppy, delightful 2-D, hand-drawn animation style to its colorful, live-action sequences. Lima's work in some of the film's dance and musical numbers is truly magical from the use of wide lenses to capture the scope of the dance numbers. The result is truly a film that lives up to Disney's magical reputation.

Cinematographer Don Burgess creates a colorful look with the film's daytime exteriors shot on location in New York City while the nighttime, interior shots are wonderfully intimate with low lighting set-ups to create an atmosphere that is true to the tone of the film. Editors Stephen A. Rotter & Gregory Perler do an excellent job with the film's pacing and rhythm for the film's musical sequences as scenes that match up with one scene to another. Production designer Stuart Wurtzel with art director John Kasarda do an amazing job in creating the film's sunny, colorful look on location in New York City as well as the ball scene. Costume designer Mona May does a superb job with the filmls costumes that included the huge gown that Giselle wears on her arrival to the city, her curtain-made dress, the sunny dress, and gown as well as the princely clothes that Edward wears along with Queen Narissa's gown that is true to her villainy.

Makeup artist Bill Corso does a great job with look of Susan Sarandon's Queen Narissa look as the old hag that makes Sarandon look unrecognizable. Animation supervisor James Baxter and his team do a superb job with the 2-D hand-drawn animation that is true to the look and style of Disney films of the past. Visual effects supervisors Brennan Doyle and Thomas Schelesny do a great job with the visual effects design of the character of Pip in NYC as well as other visual effects for the film's climatic third act. Sound editor Dennis Leonard does a great job with the film's sound to capture some of the film's moments of fantasy and adventure.

The music of Stephen Schwartz and lyricist Alan Menken is top-notch that includes a sweeping, dazzling score that plays to the film's whimsical tone. Yet, it's the original songs that Schwartz and Menken that really shine. From the sweeping True Love's Kiss performed by Amy Adams and James Marsden, the comically divine Happy Working Song and calypso-flavored That's How You Know both sung by Adams, the ballad So Close sung by Jon McLaughlin, and the country-pop song Ever, Ever After by Carrie Underwood. The soundtrack is truly a standout and definitely a joy to listen to thanks to the team of Schwartz and Menken who both prove they still have a magical touch.

The casting by John Papsidera, Marcia Ross, and Susan Shopmaker should be noted for its assembly of talent that includes cameo appearances from three actresses who are famous for voicing famed Disney heroines, Jodi Benson of The Little Mermaid as Robert's secretary Sam, Paige O'Hara of Beauty & the Beast as a soap opera actress Nathaniel watches, and Judy Kuhn of Pocahontas as a pregnant woman with children. Other memorable small appearances from Marilyn Sue Perry as a bus driver whom Edward annoys, Tonya Pinkins & Isaiah Whitlock, Jr. as a divorcing couple Robert is handling, and in the voices of Pip, Jeff Bennett as Pip in Andalasia and director Kevin Lima as the squeaky-voiced Pip in NYC. Broadway actress Idina Menzel is good as Robert's girlfriend Nancy who is bewildered by the appearance of Giselle while trying to commit with Robert.

Rachel Covey is adorable as Robert's six-year old daughter Morgan who is trying to find a sense of excitement from the realities that her father is trying to prepare her for. Timothy Spall is delightful as the sniveling, cowardly Nathaniel who is doing the Queen's deeds while in NYC, begins to question his own role and self-respect. James Marsden is delightfully funny as the dim-witted, narcissistic Prince Edward who always go into song while being completely clueless to everything. Marsden's smile, winning performance is fun to watch as the actor is showing his versatility from action roles like the X-Men films to the recent Hairspray musical film.

Patrick Dempsey is wonderfully low-key as the cynical Robert who proves to be a great foil for Giselle as Dempsey is also charming and intelligent in being the romantic lead as the actor continues his winning ways following his comeback role on the TV show Grey's Anatomy. Though her appearance in the film is only 20-minutes, Susan Sarandon makes the most of her appearance as Queen Narissa with a great, slimy performance as Sarandon seems to enjoy herself in playing a villain as her performance is fun to watch.

Finally, there's Amy Adams who delivers a performance that lives up to the film's title description. Fresh off from her Oscar-nominated role in 2005's Junebug, Adams carries this entire film with such wit, charm, innocence, and humor. From the way she smiles to how she reacts innocently to newfound situations, it's a performance that obviously cannot be enjoyed for someone, even the most cynical performance. Adams' versatility also proves that she can sing very well as she just shines from scene to scene. Adams also proves that she is capable in being dramatic while having great chemistry with Patrick Dempsey and Rachel Covey in their own individual scenes as she brings a lively character with such charisma and bravado, it's hard to not to smile in everything she does. After toiling in obscurity in small roles like Drop Dead Gorgeous, Psycho Beach Party, and Catch Me If You Can, Amy Adams gives a performance that is surely going to make her a household name.

Enchanted is a delightful, entertaining, and joyful film that lives up to its name and description thanks to the talents of director Kevin Lima, screenwriter Bill Kelly, songwriters Stephen Schwartz and Alan Menken, and Amy Adams' dazzling performance. Fans of Disney films will no doubt enjoy the film for its humor and homage to the genre while families will enjoy it for its squeaky-clean yet charming tone. In the end, for a film that is a real feel-good film that does its job to entertain and make everyone feel smile, Enchanted is the film to go see.

© thevoid99 2013

The Hunger (1983 film)

Based on the novel by Whitley Strieber, The Hunger is the story about a doctor who finds herself in a strange love triangle involving vampires during her research on the world of aging. Directed by Tony Scott and screenplay by Ivan Davis, and Michael Thomas the film is a stylish take on the world of vampires as one of them tries to gain immortality forcing his lover to face the truth as she seeks a new lover. Starring Catherine Deneuve, Susan Sarandon, David Bowie, Cliff de Young, and Dan Hedaya. The Hunger is an entrancing yet hypnotic film from Tony Scott.

The film is about a vampire couple who had been living for three centuries as prey on those to feed on their appetite for blood. Upon learning about a woman’s research on aging and the idea of eternal life, one of the vampires is seeking to know more as he finds himself aging rapidly forcing his lover to think about getting a new one in the woman who had been working on this research. Yet, it’s a film that plays into the idea of eternal life as a man named John Blaylock (David Bowie) deals with his aging as he asks his lover Miriam (Catherine Deneuve) about the aging process as she had previous lovers who had fallen to the fate that he’s about to fall prey to. John turns to Sarah Roberts (Susan Sarandon) whose research on aging has him intrigued but she doesn’t believe that he’s aging until some time later as she attracts the attention of Miriam where she finds herself in a very strange situation.

The film’s screenplay does have this unique structure where the first act is about John and Miriam’s relationship as well as John dealing with his aging as he turns to Sarah for help based on her research. The second act is about Sarah meeting Miriam where the former becomes strangely obsessed with the latter which then leads to the relationship as Sarah is unaware of what Miriam really is. It all would play in this third act where Sarah is forced to deal with her symptoms as well as what she might become. Though its climax would play into Miriam’s claims that she would give Sarah eternal life and to love forever and ever as Sarah would make a decision. Its ending would unfortunately lose some of that emotional impact as well as create some confusion into the fate of its main characters as it is revealed that the ending was more enforced by the studio.

Tony Scott’s direction is definitely a major highlight of the film in not just the compositions that he creates but also infuse with a high degree of style. While it’s a style that isn’t for everyone, it does play into an atmosphere that is sort of Gothic in some respects where the film opens at a Goth disco where the legendary Goth band Bauhaus plays. Scott would infuse the film with some symbolism where the scene of John and Miriam killing their prey that is inter-cut with a lab monkey killing another as it would play into Sarah’s research. Scott’s direction also includes a few stylish flashbacks and some slow-motion action to play out some of the drama and terror that occurs. Even in a very stylish and sort of operatic love scene between Miriam and Sarah that does have this great element of beauty and horror. Despite its tacked-on ending, Scott manages to create a very ravishing yet exhilarating film about vampires and their desire for eternal life.

Cinematographer Stephen Goldenblatt does amazing work with the film‘s stylish photography with its array of shadows and shades to play with its lighting to convey a Gothic mood for the film in many of its interior scenes. Editor Pamela Power does excellent work with the editing as it very stylized with some jump-cuts and slow-motion cuts to play into some of its symbolism and suspense. Production designer Brian Morris, with set decorator Ann Mollo and art director Clinton Cavers, does fantastic work with the look of John and Miriam‘s posh New York City penthouse as well as the lab where Sarah works at.

Costume designer Milena Canonero does excellent work with the costumes from the period clothes that John and Miriam wore to Goth clothes of the time while a lot of the dresses that Miriam wears is from Yves St. Laurent. Special makeup work by Antony Clavet does brilliant work with the makeup to display John‘s rapid aging as he struggles with the fate he might play into. Sound editor Peter Pennell does superb work with the sound to create some unique effects on some of the dialogue as well as some textures to play out the suspense. The film’s music by Denny Jaeger and Michel Rubini is terrific for its chilling, electronic-based score to play out some of the drama while a lot of the music that is assembled by music supervisor Howard Blake features a wide array of classical and opera music from composers like Franz Schubert, Johann Sebastian Bach, Gregorio Allegri, Maurice Ravel, and Leos Delibes as well as some modern music from the Goth band Bauhaus and Iggy Pop.

The film’s cast features some early cameos from John Pankow and Willem Dafoe as a couple of punks as well as Ann Magnuson and John Stephen Hill as a couple John and Miriam meet in the opening sequence that features Bauhaus. Other notable small roles include Dan Hedaya as a police investigator, Beth Ehlers as a tomboy violinist John and Miriam teach, and Cliff De Young as Sarah’s boyfriend Tom who becomes concerned about Sarah’s condition. Susan Sarandon is brilliant as Sarah Roberts as an age researcher who is eager to find a way to slow down the aging process while finding herself becoming attracted towards Miriam.

David Bowie is amazing as John Blaylock as a man struggling with his rapid-aging as he also realizes the fate that he might play that Miriam’s previous lovers have succumbed to. Finally, there’s Catherine Deneuve in a phenomenal performance as Miriam Blaylock as a woman who had lived a very long life as a vampire as she deals with John’s aging and possible fate while falling for Sarah as she seeks to take her as her new lover.

The Hunger is a marvelous film from Tony Scott thanks in part to its Gothic imagery, brooding soundtrack, and the performances of Catherine Deneuve, David Bowie, and Susan Sarandon. While it’s not a perfect film that includes a pretty lame ending. It’s still a film that plays into the world of vampires that fans of vampire films can enjoy while it is very unapologetic in its emphasis on style over substance. In the end, The Hunger is a stellar yet mesmerizing film from Tony Scott.

Tony Scott Films: (One of the Missing) - (Loving Memory) - (Top Gun) - (Revenge) - (Days of Thunder) - (The Last Boy Scout) - True Romance - (Crimson Tide) - (The Fan) - (Enemy of the State) - (Spy Game) - (Man on Fire) - (Domino) - (Déjà Vu) - (The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009 film)) - (Unstoppable)

© thevoid99 2013

Cloud Atlas

Based on the novel by David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas is the story about human beings being connected to one another in various places in time from the past to the future as they all deal with their role in humanity. Written for the screen and directed by Lana and Andy Wachowski and Tom Tykwer, the film is an epic story that bends all sorts of genres. With an all-star cast playing multiple roles that includes Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugh Grant, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Ben Whishaw, Doona Bae, Susan Sarandon, Jim Broadbent, James D’Arcy, David Gyasi, Zhou Xun, David Gyasi, and Keith David. Cloud Atlas is a captivating yet exhilarating film from Tom Tykwer and the Wachowskis.

In the 1850s, a young notary named Adam Ewing (Jim Sturgess) travels to the Pacific Islands to discover a plantation run by Reverend Gilles Horrox (Hugh Grant) as it consists of slaves. Upon his return home to San Francisco, Ewing discovers a young slave named Autua (David Gyasi) who stows away on the ship as the ailing Ewing recalls his experience in a journal. In 1930s Belgium, a young musician named Robert Frobisher (Ben Whishaw) writes many letters to his lover Rufus Sixsmith (James D’Arcy) where he works as an amanuensis for the aging composer Vyvyan Ayrs (Jim Broadbent) where they collaborate on a musical piece together. In the 1970s, a San Franciscan journalist named Luisa Rey (Halle Berry) meets the aging Sixsmith where she discovers a chilling mystery about an oil magnate Lloyd Hooks(Hugh Grant) trying to manipulate the energy crisis as a hitman named Bill Smoke (Hugo Weaving) is after her.

In 2012 London, book publisher Timothy Cavendish (Jim Broadbent) is in big trouble over mounting debts to gangsters as he turns to his older brother Denholme (Hugh Grant) for help. Instead, Denholme tricks Timothy to live in a retirement home where Timothy has to deal with the cruel nurse Noakes (Hugo Weaving) as he fights for freedom. In the futuristic South Korea, a genetically-created clone named Sonmi-451 learns about her dystopian world as she meets a young rebel named Hae-Joo Chang (Jim Sturgess) where they decide to create rebellion. In a more distant future, a tribesman named Zachry takes a technologically-advanced woman named Meronym (Halle Berry) to an old palace to find meaning in their world so they can save humanity from an evil tribe and other dark forces.

The film is essentially a multi-layered, inter-weaving collection of stories of people making decisions that would change their own fates as well as the fate of others through six different periods of time. Through the recollection of one individual’s story, one character would discover that person’s story that would inspire something of their own that would eventually inspire another and so on. In these moments where they would discover these stories or pieces of work by a certain person, it would allow a character from different stories to be motivated to do something as it would eventually give them a chance to do something that would help humanity.

The screenplay by Tom Tykwer and the Wachowskis is truly dazzling for the way the narrative moves from one story to another in this inter-weaving style where it adds up to the dramatic momentum of the film. Even as they would provide moments that would play up the suspense of another story and so on. It’s part of the schematics that Tykwer and the Wachowskis wanted to create while slowing things down so that characters can find ways to connect with one another to feel something as if there’s a chance to really do something great. Yet, each protagonist in these six different stories would make decisions that could impact something that would become a key moment of their lives and would set the stage for another.

The direction of Tykwer and the Wachowskis is vast in terms of the presentation they wanted to create for this massive film. With Tykwer directing the two segments in the 20th Century and the 2012 segment while the Wachowskis helm the 19th Century story and the ones set in the future. The filmmakers give each story a chance to set out on their own as they each provide broad visuals to establish the world these characters live in. Notably as these segments also have moments of intimacy to help flesh the characters out even more in their development. Since the film is really a genre-bender that features elements of sci-fi, adventure, drama, comedy, romance, and suspense. It is still about people and the adventures they go into and how they deal with these opposing forces.

For the 20th Century and 2012 segments, Tykwer pretty much keep things straightforward in terms of the presentation though he does shoot scenes with elements of style. Even as he find ways to put every actor who plays multiple roles a chance to pop up every now and then. Tykwer also utilizes bits of humor in the stories as well as some truly jaw-dropping moments such as a scene where Frobisher and Sixsmith stand and freeze while china plates drop all over them. In the 19th Century and futuristic segments, the Wachowskis go all out in terms of the ambition where they create massive sceneries for their segments. Notably the future where it is awash with visual effects to showcase a world that is unique but also unsettling.

Particularly as it establishes the sense of chaos and mistakes humans made where it plays into the most furthest futuristic segment forcing one character to do something to bring some semblance of hope. Overall, Tywker and the Wachowskis create a truly grand yet engaging film about human connection and how they impact one another in different periods of time.

Cinematographers Frank Griebe and John Toll do amazing work with the film‘s photography from the naturalistic look of 19th Century and beyond future segments to the more stylish array of lighting schemes in the 20th Century scenes and the dystopian Seoul segment. Editor Alexander Berner does excellent work with the editing to create unique rhythms for the film‘s suspenseful and action moments as well as creating montages for certain scenes as well as intricate transitions to move from one story to another. Production designers Hugh Bateup and Uli Hanisch, along with set decorator Rebecca Alleway and Peter Walpole and supervising art directors Stepan O. Gessler, Kai Koch, and Charlie Revai, do spectacular work with the set pieces from the ship in the 19th Century, the homes in the 20th and 21st Century segment, and the futuristic places in the future-Seoul segment.

Costume designers Kym Barrett and Pierre-Yves Gayraud do wonderful work with the costumes to play up the very different periods of time that occur in each segment including the more stylish clothes in the dystopian Seoul segment. Makeup and hair designers Heike Merker and Daniela Skala do great work with the hair and makeup to have every actor look a different way in the various segments and play different races and nationalities in the course of the film. Visual effects supervisors Dan Glass and Stephane Ceretti do terrific work with the film‘s visual effects for segments involving Frobisher, the dystopian Seoul segment, and the beyond future scenes. Sound designer Markus Stemler and sound editor Alexander Buck do superb work in the sound to capture the different atmosphere of each location and world the characters inhabit.

The film’s music by Tom Tykwer, Reinhold Heil, and Johnny Klimek is brilliant for its low-key, orchestral-driven score to play out the very different worlds that take place in the film along with some touching piano-driven themes in scenes involving Frobisher and Ayrs. The soundtrack also includes an array of music that plays up in two segments such as the Luisa Rey segment and the Timothy Cavendish segments.

The casting by Lora Kennedy and Lucinda Syson is incredible for the large ensemble that is created where the actors get to play multiple roles. Notable small performances include Robert Fyfe as the old seadog and Mr. Meeks, Brody Nicholas Lee as Luisa’s neighbor Javier and Zachry’s nephew, Raevan Lee Hanan as Zachry’s child Catkin, and Martin Wuttke as Cavendish’s friend Mr. Boerhavve and a healer in Zachry’s tribe. Other noteworthy small parts include terrific performances from Keith David as Horrox’s servant/a friend of Luisa’s dad/a rebel leader/a futuristic chief, Zhou Xun as Zachry’s wife/a relative of Sixsmith/Sonmi-451’s friend, David Gyasi as the stowaway slave Autua/Luisa’s father/an associate of Meronym, and James D’Arcy as Rufus Sixsmith and a man who interrogates Sonmi-451.

Jim Sturgess is superb as the young notary Adam Ewing as well as in smaller roles as a father of Sixsmith’s relative, Zachry’s brother-in-law, a highlander, and the rebellious Hae-Joo Chang. Ben Whishaw is superb as the melancholic Robert Frobisher as well as other small roles as a seaman, a record shop owner, and Denholme’s wife. Jim Broadbent is great as a sea captain, the very selfish Vyvyan Ayrs, a lab professor, a futuristic leader, a Korean musician, and as the troubled Timothy Cavendish. Susan Sarandon is wonderful as Rev. Horrox’s wife, a tribal witch, and Cavendish’s lost love. Hugh Grant is stellar as Reverend Horrox, a hotel tenant, the slimy oilman Lloyd Hooks, Timothy’s prankster brother, a perverse drug addict, and an evil tribe chief. Hugo Weaving is brilliant as Ewing’s father-in-law, a music conductor, the evil hitman Bill Smoke, a big nurse, a dystopian leader, and a demon who haunts Zachry.

Doona Bae is amazing as the clone Sonmi-451 who becomes part of a rebellion to stop a dystopian Seoul as she also plays other small roles such as Ewing’s wife and a Mexican woman who helps Luisa. Halle Berry is marvelous as the determined journalist Luisa Rey as well as notable small roles as a native woman, Ayrs’ wife, an Indian woman at a party, a Korean doctor, and a woman of the future in Meronym. Tom Hanks is remarkable as the tribe warrior Zachry who deals with demons and his tribe’s future while he also plays small roles as the devious Dr. Goose, a hotel manager, a thuggish writer, and a scientist who falls for Luisa.

Cloud Atlas is a spectacular film from Tom Tykwer and the Wachowskis that explores the world of humanity and its many connections. While it’s not an easy film in terms of its ambition and big themes, it is still an engaging one for the way it explores these themes in such grand stories. It’s also a film that has something for everyone and isn’t afraid to take big risks while featuring an amazing collective of actors. In the end, Cloud Atlas is an extraordinary film from Tom Tykwer and the Wachowskis.

The Wachowskis Films: (Bound) - (The Matrix) - (The Matrix Reloaded) - (The Matrix Revolution) - Speed Racer

Tom Tykwer Films: (Deadly Maria) - (Winter Sleepers) - Run Lola Run - (The Princess and the Warrior) - (Heaven (2002 film)) - True (2004 short) - (Perfume: The Story of a Murderer) - (The International) - (Three (2010 film))

© thevoid99 2012

Romance & Cigarettes

Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com 11/9/08.

John Turturro is known to many for his work with the Coen Brothers in such films as Miller's Crossing, Barton Fink, The Big Lebowski, and O Brother, Where Art Thou? where he is considered to be one of their acting regulars. While Turturro has also worked frequently with Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, and Spike Lee, he remains a devoted collaborator to the Coen Brothers. In 2005, Turturro turned to the Coen Brothers as producers for his third directorial feature in a musical-romance film entitled Romance & Cigarettes.

Written and directed by John Turturro with Joel and Ethan Coen serving as producers, Romance & Cigarettes tells the story of a working class husband whose life spins out of his control when his infidelity puts him into a moral crisis. Therefore, he has to choose between his wife and his seductive mistress while his three daughters are going against him following his affair with his mistress. Part romantic-comedy and part-musical with pop songs being the soundtrack, Turturro creates a film that is definitely in its own world.

With an all-star cast that includes James Gandolfini, Susan Sarandon, Kate Winslet, Mandy Moore, Steve Buscemi, Aida Turturro, Mary-Louise Parker, Christopher Walken, Bobby Cannavale, Barbara Sukowa, Eddie Izzard, Elaine Stritch, Cady Huffman, Adam LaFerve, Amy Sedaris, and Kumar Pallana. Romance & Cigarettes is a whimsical, romantic-comedy, musical film from John Turturro and company.

Nicky Murder (James Gandolfini) had just got caught cheating on his wife Kitty (Susan Sarandon) due to a love letter she found to his mistress Tula (Kate Winslet). His three daughters Rosebud (Aida Turturro), Constance (Mary-Louise Parker), and Baby (Mandy Moore) are all siding with their mother as they refuse to help him or give him any good food. With no support in his own home, he confides in his buddy Angelo (Steve Buscemi) about his affairs as he reveals his attraction toward the red-headed, Scottish woman known as Tula. Kitty meanwhile, turns to her friend Gracie (Barbara Sukowa) as her son Fryburg (Bobby Cannavale) is already dating Baby as Kitty's daughters are part of his band. After some guidance from Father Gene Vincent (Eddie Izzard), Kitty calls her cousin Bo (Christopher Walken) for help in trying to find Tula.

Nicky meanwhile, hears about improvements in his sex life with Tula as he goes to a doctor (David Thornton) for help. Yet, his affair with Tula starts to turn sour due to her crazy demands while Kitty is now dealing with the engagement between Fryburg and Baby. With Kitty getting closer to find about Tula with help from Bo, who is still reeling from his own heartbreak with his wife Ro (Cady Huffman). Baby turns to Nicky for advice where it's clear that despite his differences with Kitty, Nicky seems to agree in what Kitty is thinking about the engagement. A health crisis suddenly hits Nicky while Kitty finally finds Tula as Nicky's mother (Elaine Stritch) reveals harsh revelations. Things gets more revealing during a fight with neighbors (Adam LaFarve and Amy Sedaris) that also makes Kitty think about their troubled marriage.

The film can be described as a lot of things. Yet overall, the genre-bending film with romance, comedy, drama, and as a musical reveals something that audiences can relate to in this story of love gone wrong, infidelity, and other family crises. John Turturro creates a film where the musical elements is more about what a character would do if life was a musical. The approach is that the music does come naturally and without the idea where it feels staged or contrived. While the film doesn't have a real plot, the story about this man trying to figure out his role while coming to terms with his infidelity.

The direction is superb in its staging, musical sequences, and locations where a lot of it is shot on location in New Jersey. The first two acts are very strong in this exploration of infidelity and a woman scorned as she tries to figure out who Tula is. Yet, the third act is uneven in its tone as the exuberance of the first two acts goes away. Though there's music is played, it's more intimate yet it does disrupt the entire tone of the film. Despite the flaws the film has, Turturro does create an interesting film that really bends a lot of genres.

Cinematographer Tom Stern, known for his work with Clint Eastwood, does some excellent work with his camera in capturing the daytime look of New Jersey in its exteriors along with some of greyish work in some of the film's urban locations. The interior shots of the Murders' home is wonderfully intimate with low lights while an amazing, fiery sequence with Kate Winslet has Stern's camera capturing the action with great lighting and wide shots. Editor Ray Hubley does some excellent work with the film's cutting to capture the rhythm of some of the film's exuberance musical sequences that is wonderfully energetic. Though the third act does have pacing issues near the end, Hubley's work is still excellent in capturing the emotion of that act.

Production/costume designer Donna Zakowska along with set decorator Elaine O'Donnell and art director Mario Ventenilla do great work in the look of the glam-like look of the hotel suite for a memorable dance sequence along with the look of New Jersey in all of its dirty yet blue-collar look. Zakowska also creating great costumes for the Murder daughters while the costumes that Kate Winslet wears including a read leathery dress is hot to complement her character. Sound designer Tod A. Maitland and editor Eliza Paley do great work with the location sounds and mixing for some of the musical sequences and such. Choreographer Tricia Brouk does great work for many of the film's choreography in the dance sequences that are theatrical as well as natural while Margie Gillis does an amazing dance sequence for a scene with Christopher Walken and Cady Huffman to the tune of Tom Jones' Delilah.

The music supervised by Chris Robertson is filled with songs by Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck, Bruce Springsteen, and others ranging from 1950s doo-wop music and 60s pop with the actors singing along to various songs as if people do that in real life. With three versions of Piece Of My Heart by Dusty Springfield, Janis Joplin, and Erma Franklin with Susan Sarandon singing along to one of them. The soundtrack includes Mandy Moore singing I Want Candy with other dance sequences to the music of Buena Vista Social Club for the fiery dance scene with Kate Winslet and another Winslet dance number to the tune of Vicky Carr's It Must Be Him. Other music by James Brown, Connie Francis, and Ute Lemper round out the soundtrack while James Gandolfini and Susan Sarandon do a quiet yet wonderful duet of The Girl I Marry.

The casting by Todd Thaler is excellent with John Turturro and real-life wife Katherine Borowitz serving their roles as dancers in one of the film's sequences. John's son Diego makes an appearance as a boy on a tricycle along with Diego's older brother Amedeo as a friend of Fryburg and John's mother Katherine as a choir singer. Yianni Digaletos plays a Greek lover of Bo's wife while Tonya Pinkins as a medic and P.J. Brown as a police officer each have a memorable moment as they also get a chance to sing. Tony Goldwyn makes an appearance as an old lover of Kitty. Kumar Pallana, known for his work with Wes Anderson, is great in a memorable appearance as a flower-card shop owner. Broadway star Cady Huffman is excellent as Bo's cheating wife while Adam LaFarve is good as a loudmouth neighbor. Amy Sedaris is funny as a loudmouth neighbor who likes to badmouth the Murder family. David Thornton is also good in his small role as a doctor Elaine Stritch is very good and funny as Nicky's mother who reveals some shocking stories.

British comedian Eddie Izzard is good as a preacher who brings guidance to Kitty in a wonderful musical sequence to Piece Of My Heart while Barbara Sukowa is funny as Fryburg's mother Gracie who pines for the first love of her life that she hopes return. Steve Buscemi is funny as Nicky's friend Angelo who brings some strange advice while giving his view on infidelity. Bobby Cannavale is great as Fryburg, a guy with a Teddy Bear hairdo who is filled with lots of charms and insults as he's a guy who isn't very smart but loveable. THE GREAT Christopher Walken is amazing as Bo, an oddball cousin who reveals the flaw of men while dealing with his own heartbreak as he helps out his cousin. Walken has scenes where it's clear, he's a natural to the musical sequences as he's having fun and just stealing some moments when he's dancing and singing along to Tom Jones' Delilah.

Aida Turturro, Mary-Louise Parker, and Mandy Moore are great as the three daughters who revolt against their father. Turturro gets to be the more talkative of the trio with Parker being the quiet yet more musical trio of the daughter. Moore gets more to do as her character deals with the idea of marriage while proving she can sing rock. Susan Sarandon is great as Kitty, the scorned woman trying to find the mistress while pondering on why she fell in love with Nicky. Kate Winslet is brilliant as Tula, the fiery Scottish woman that is very sexy and a presence that is dynamic. Sporting a Scottish brogue, Winslet's performance is truly sensational as she just commands every scene she's in along with her dance sequence making her completely bonafide. James Gandolfini is excellent as Nicky Murder, a man trying to ponder his role while seeing whether he should go to his mistress or try to get forgiveness from his wife. It's a performance from Gandolfini that isn't seen much yet proves that he's a solid actor outside of his work from The Sopranos.

While it's not a great film, Romance & Cigarettes is still a very good film that has a lot of redeeming qualities and musical numbers under the vision of John Turturro. Thanks to a great cast and amazing musical numbers, it's a film that is entertaining despite its flaws. This film had the unfortunate of going through distributions problems when in 2006, United Artists and MGM was bought by Sony which led to a legal mess forcing Turturro to distribute the film himself to a small audience. This is a film that should be seen for anyone that likes musicals or romantic comedies as in the end, Romance & Cigarettes is a film that's worth your time in its entertainment factor thanks to the vision of John Turturro.

(C) thevoid99 2011

Speed Racer

Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com on 11/21/09.

The 1960s anime cartoon Speed Racer about a young racer who races against the odds under the support of his family and a mysterious driver is among one of the popular cartoons of its time. Though it only lasted an entire season in the U.S., it remains a cult favorite as it was seen through re-runs over the years. In 2008, a film version was finally released after years of troubled development until it came into the hands of producer Joel Silver and the Wachowski Brothers, the team who had gained massive success with the Matrix film franchise.

Directed and written for the screen by Larry & Andy Wachowski, Speed Racer tells the story of a young, talented race car driver who is set to become the greatest racer of his generation. When a corrupt, corporate wants to offer the young man a chance to become the best, the young racer learns some horrible truths about the world of racing as he teams up with a mysterious racer to stop corruption through what they know best. A part action film with elements of comedy and themes about family. The film is a hyperactive yet colorful take on the famed anime cartoon as the Wachowski Brothers create a film that is accessible yet entertaining. With an all-star cast that includes Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, Roger Allam, Matthew Fox, Paulie Litt, Kick Gurry, Scott Porter, Rain, Benno Furmann, Yu Nan, and Richard Roundtree. Speed Racer is a fun, exciting film that has enough action and humor for audience of all ages to enjoy.

Set to race against all the odds on a race, Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch) is out-racing his competitors as his family watch. Among them is his father Pops Racer (John Goodman) who heads the independent Racer Motors that Speed faithfully works for. Also watching are his mother (Susan Sarandon), little brother Spritle (Paulie Litt), their pet chimpanzee Chim-Chim, mechanic Sparky (Kick Gurry), and Speed's girlfriend Trixie (Christina Ricci). Speed wins though misses the record by a split second because the record belongs to his late older brother Rex (Scott Porter) who was killed in the treacherous Casa Cristo race. The death of Rex was hard on the family as he was considered a promising racer until he left Racer Motors to work for a corporation where he played dirty and lost a lot of respect until his death.

Meanwhile, E.P. Arnold Royalton (Roger Allam) arrives to the home of the Racer family to offer Speed a lucrative deal as he invites the entire Racer family to his headquarters where they meet the legendary Cannonball Taylor (Ralph Henforth). Though the offer Royalton is tempting, Speed isn't sure while something else is going on as a mob boss named Cruncher Block (John Benfield) is beating a young racer named Taejo Togokahn (Rain) to lose more races as he was saved by the mysterious Racer X (Matthew Fox). Speed goes to Royalton to reveal his decision while telling the story about Rex's death as well as what got Pops Racer back into racing over a legendary Grand Prix race. Royalton then reveals something horrifying about the Grand Prix race that Ben Burns (Richard Roundtree) won was all fixed for corporate gain. Spritle, who sneaked in on that meeting with Chim-Chim learns about a new prototype that Royalton is creating.

After turning down Royalton in which, he loses a prestigious race that has the Racer family in trouble. An inspector (Benno Furmann) arrives with Racer X at the Racer house to reveal some news over what happened at the last race along with an offer to stop Royalton with help from Taejo Togokahn who claims to have evidence linking Royalton to Blocker. The problem is that the race is at the treacherous Casa Cristo as Pops refuses to have Speed involved. Speed and Trixie secretly decides to help Racer X and Togokahn as part of a team to defeat dirty racers that includes Snake Oiler (Christian Oliver). Though Speed did great on his own, the first half was won by Snake Oiler making Togokahn upset while the Racer family finds out that Speed is racing the Casa Cristo as Pops reluctantly helps Speed. Along with help from Taejo's sister Horuko (Yu Nan), Speed and his team with Togokahn being the ultimate winner as he gains an invitation to the Grand Prix.

Unfortunately, things doesn't go well at all for Speed as Racer X, who is believed to be Rex, reveals his identity as they're both upset over what Taejo has decided to do in order for his family to gain profit for their own stock. Horuko however, decides to give the Grand Prix invitation to Speed as a lesson to her family where Speed would show racers all over the world what he can do with some surprising help.

The approach that the Wachowskis go for with this film is to simply make a family film. While it's a change of pace from their darker, more violent films. The unique visual style that the Wachowski are known for is there. At the same time, their script which is filled with lots of back story on characters and the world of corporations do work for the most part though the latter story about corporations and stock market does get confusing for some audiences, particularly children. Yet, the heart of the film is Speed Racer and his relationship with his family. Even as Speed is tempted to get things any young racer would want as long as his family is involved. Yet, when he turns down Royalton's offer just out of loyalty to his own family. He realizes what he must do to protect them and also why his brother left Racer Motors in the first place.

While the story does faithfully tell the folklore of Speed and Racer X, the Wachowski does create some interesting storylines about that relationship along with Racer X's secret identity. The direction of the film is very stylized. It's fast, hyperactive, and very colorful all in the anime style. While some audiences might have a hard time keeping up with what's going. The Wachowskis do at least, slow things down so that audiences can get a chance to know the characters and the situation around them. The race sequences are definitely intense along with some humorous sequences that is very appealing to kids which works well with their hyperactive energy. Despite a few flaws in the story and in the direction, the Wachowskis do create a film that is definitely fun to watch.

Cinematographer David Tattersall does some nice work with the film's high-octane look with loads of swirling colors and lighting styles to convey the mood of the race and tone of the film. Editors Roger Barton and Zach Staenberg do excellent work with the film's highly-stylized editing with the use of transition wipes in using characters and object to move from one scene to another along with fast-paced cuts for the film's hyperactive race scenes. Even the use of freeze frames for some of the film's energetic, anime-style sequences. Production designer Owen Paterson along with set decorator Peter Walope and supervising art director Hugh Bateup do some fantastic work with the look and design of the race tracks and Royalton's building. Costume designer Kym Barrett does very good work with the look of Speed's clothes that is reminiscent of the cartoon along with the lavish look of Royalton and other racers as it's faithful to the look of the cartoon.

The visual effects work by supervisor Chadi Abo, John Gaeta, Dan Glass, Kim Libreri, and Kevin Scott Mack is truly phenomenal in its hyperactive, colorful look. While it might seem excessive, it works to convey the energy and feel of the film in terms of its attempts to make it as close as the cartoon. The visual effects work does succeed, notably a comical scene involving Spritle, Chim-Chim, and a ninja. Sound designer Dane A. Davis does some excellent work in the sound work of tire squeals, engine growls, and other things that goes on during the race. Music composer Michael Giacchino brings a playful, broad score to the film that plays up to its humor and bombastic racing scenes with huge orchestral arrangements as it's an excellent score piece from Giacchino.

The casting by Lora Kennedy and Lucinda Syson is brilliant with some memorable small roles from Nicholas Elias as a young Speed, Ariel Winter as a young Trixie, original Speed Racer voice actor Peter Hernandez as a local race announcer, Nayo Wallace as Racer X's girlfriend Minx, Ralph Henforth as Cannonball Taylor, Cosma Shiva Hagen as Royalton's assistant Gennie, German punk vocalist Jana Pallaske as a dirty racer at Casa Cristo, Togo Igawa as Mr. Togokahn, and Ben Miles as a Grand Prix commentator. Other small roles from more well-known actors as Melvil Poupaud as a Casa Cristo announcer, Hiroyuki Sanada as a business rival of Royalton, and Richard Roundtree as Ben Burns are great in their brief but memorable apperances.

Christian Oliver is funny as dirty racer Snake Oiler while John Benfield is very good as the thuggish Crunch Blocker. Scott Porter is pretty good in his brief role as Rex Racer while Korean pop vocalist Rain is also good as Taejo Togokahn with Yu Nan in a fine role as his good-natured sister Horuko. Kick Gurry is funny as Speed's mechanic Sparky who can't fight to save his life while Paulie Litt is fantastic as Spritle, the kid who loves candy and be with his pet chimp Chim-Chim, who rules. Benno Furmann is fine in a small role as the Inspector Detective who helps the Racer family find ways to fight corruption. In a very understated but light-humorous performance, Matthew Fox is excellent as the mysterious Racer X who helps Speed fight corruption while giving him some advice about doing the right thing.

Roger Allam is great as Royalton, the corporate honcho who will do what it takes to make more money and make Speed's life a living hell as Allam definitely hams it up and gives a glorious performance. Susan Sarandon is really good in a small yet understated role as Mom Racer who ground Speed while providing the warmth and calmness the family needed. John Goodman is fantastic as Pops Racer, a man who is all about the love of racing and a distaste for corporations while showing that he isn't naive as Speed thinks he is while can easily beat up a ninja. Christina Ricci is really good as Trixie, Speed's girlfriend who definitely can help Speed think things clearly while showing that she can be more than helpful on the race tracks as she even says the character's trademark line, cool beans. Emile Hirsch is brilliant as the title character in displaying a young man driven to win but also confused by the myths of races as Hirsch definitely carries the film with a coolness and complexity as it's definitely a worthy follow-up to his brilliant role in Sean Penn's Into the Wild a year earlier.

While it's not a perfect film, Speed Racer is a good, fun, entertaining film from the Wachowski Brothers that is a definite improvement over the let-downs that were the Matrix sequels. While fans of the original cartoon might have issues with its hyperactive look and tone, it is a film that is faithful while adding a nice spin to the cartoon. While it didn't do well in the box office when it came out in May 2008 largely due to some bad trailers. It's a film that needs to be seen since it is funny, it's got lots of action, and a strong theme about family. In the end, Speed Racer is a film that is worth anyone's time except for those cootie-sensitive viewers.

Wachowski Brothers Reviews: (Bound) - (The Matrix) - (The Matrix: Reloaded) - (The Matrix Revolutions) - Cloud Atlas

(C) thevoid99 2011